News Roundup 04 April 2023
Apr 04, 2023 • 4 min Read
Another mastermind named in Degamo slay | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are now at the tail-end of the quest for justice in the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo following the arrest of another mastermind tagged as the “missing vital link” and one of the main conspirators behind the slaying.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who also chairs the interagency Special Task Force Degamo, said that Marvin Miranda, who was arrested on March 31, recruited the 11 former Army soldiers who were hired as hit men, and provided logistical and material support in the planning and execution of the assassination plot against Degamo.
In an interagency press conference on Monday at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Abalos said Miranda received instructions from Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., the alleged “main mastermind,” whom the suspect referred to as “Boss Idol,” “Big Boss,” and “Kalbo.”
This was the first time that the task force said with certainty that Teves was among the masterminds in the killing of the governor. The lawmaker, who has yet to return to the country, had earlier denied his involvement in the murder of his political rival.
Full Story at: Another mastermind named in Degamo slay | Inquirer News
More must be done to expose ‘ill effects’ of Cha-cha, says ACT party-list | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines —ACT Party-list Representative France Castro said on Tuesday that more efforts are needed to reveal the alleged harmful effects of changing the 1987 Constitution.
She made the comment after the recent Pulse Asia survey on Cha-cha revealed a rise in people supporting changes to the decades-old constitution.
According to the audit conducted from March 15-19, 41 percent of 1,200 adult respondents favor revising the Charter – “more pronounced” than the 31 percent recorded in the September 2022 Cha-cha survey.
Still, however, more Filipinos are still opposed to amending the 1987 Constitution at 45 percent.
“The latest Pulse Asia survey shows that most Filipinos are still against Charter change but we must give an extra effort in exposing the ill effects of this move both economically and politically so that more Filipinos would see cha-cha for what it is. A ploy for politicians to have longer-term limits and for foreigners to have more control in our country,” Castro said in a statement.
Full Story at: More must be done to expose ‘ill effects’ of Cha-cha, says ACT party-list | Inquirer News
DFA: EDCA ‘reaffirms’ robust commitment to alliance, economic opportunities for Filipinos | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday said recent developments in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement reaffirm Manila and Washington’s commitment to their decades-old alliance as these also open up economic opportunities for Filipinos with infrastructure developments on the military sites.
“The EDCA will enhance the interoperability of our armed forces to collectively better respond to threats, including those requiring close cooperation and coordination for more rapid and effective humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.
“EDCA will lead to the construction of facilities and infrastructure upgrades that directly contribute to the enhancement of the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” it added.
The EDCA allows US troops to use Philippine military facilities for equipment and to store materials that may be needed for humanitarian relief efforts. The agreement also allows American soldiers to conduct joint training activities with their Filipino counterparts.
Full Story at: DFA: EDCA ‘reaffirms’ robust commitment to alliance, economic opportunities for Filipinos | Philstar.com
‘Ambulance chasing’, decarbonization can still rock the boat for Filipino seafarers | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Keeping more Filipinos employed on the world’s ships will need more than reforms to maritime education and training programs, industry leaders said, adding Filipino seafarers face more challenges as global shipping changes.
These include global changes to the supply chain to lower the shipping industry’s carbon emissions and the issue of “ambulance chasing” — a term used for lawyers who persuade workers injured on the job to seek monetary damages — that can drive shipping companies to seek sailors elsewhere.
While workers deserve compensation for work-related injuries, the shipping industry sees “ambulance chasers” as seeking large settlements for even minor injuries.
“Let’s see this as a beginning of a new chapter to make sure that the Filipino seafarers continue to maintain their position as Number One in the world,” Natalie Shaw, director for employment affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping, said in a press briefing with the Department of Migrant Workers on Monday.
Full Story at: What is ‘ambulance chasing’ and why does it threaten Filipino seafarers’ jobs? | Philstar.com
